Video link at the bottom of the page
1. Introduction:
In this teaching, we will see that favour starts with becoming a son and daughter of God and grows with wise decisions, humility, seeking God, and activating faith.
2. The Difference Between Grace and Favour.
A. Grace is a Gift that comes UPON us.
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:40
Grace is a gift that is given to us.
B. Favour Grows based on Wise Decisions Made:
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
Luke 2:52
Grace and Grace, when born again, are separate studies on grace because they are vital truths to understand for effectiveness and power in our ministry.
Favour with man teaches how we grow in favour with man, which is essential to expanding our ministries.
3. Favour Comes from Being a Son or Daughter of God
A. God is a Good Father
He is better than any Human Father!
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Luke 11:13
B. God is Filled with Joy
Father God is excited and filled with joy as soon as we are born again and enter the family and kingdom of God:
Note it says there is joy in the presence of the angels of God; in other words, Abba is rejoicing as well!
Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10
C. God’s Pleasure about Jesus
At Jesus’ baptism, because His favour had grown, the Father stated His pleasure about Jesus:
And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
D. Favour Grows
This favour continued to grow until His glorification at the Mount of Transfiguration:
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Matthew 17:5
4. Wisdom is the Cornerstone to Growing in Favour with God
A. Jesus Increased in Wisdom
And, as a result, grew in favour with God and man.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
Luke 2:52
Like Jesus, we need to grow in favour of God and man.
B. Wisdom Promotes:
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Proverbs 4:5
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
5. Favour comes from Intimacy in our Relationship with Jesus
A. Closeness in Relationship.
There are Favourites in God’s eyes because of Closeness in Relationships.
The apostle John had a close relationship with Jesus, more intimate than the rest of the twelve:
Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
John 13:25
Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
John 20:2
B. Mountain of Transfiguration
Jesus chose three disciples to go up the mountain of transfiguration with Him:
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
Matthew 17:1
Jesus favoured Peter, James, and John, so only they saw Him glorified.
6. Favour comes through Seeking God
A. Diligently Seek Him
We must diligently seek Him because He rewards those who seek Him and grants them favour.
… and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6
B. Promoted to Lead
Because Joshua loved seeking God, God promoted him to lead Israel.
So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.
Exodus 33:11
7. Favour with God comes through Living in Faith
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,…
Hebrews 11:6
A. Through Obedience
Jesus’ favour came through His obedience. As a result, God promoted Him.
though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Hebrews 5:8
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
8. Favour with God comes from Faithfulness
A. Utilise a Grace Given to us
When we utilise a grace given to us, this results in favouring promotion.
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:21
9. Favour with God comes from Humility
A. Walk in Humility
When we move in humility, God’s favour comes upon us, and we have access to the realms of heaven.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
Matthew 5:3
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Access to the kingdom of heaven means you can bring heaven to earth in your meetings – this is a sign of promotion!
10. Favour with God comes through Persecution for Righteousness’ Sake!
A. From Glory to Glory
Persecution is one thing that brings us from glory to glory – that is a good reason to rejoice when persecution comes.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
B. It Brings Blessing
Persecution brings the blessing (to be happy and envied), hence God’s favour.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
Matthew 5:10
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Next, we look at Favour with Man.
© Use by Permission Awakening Impact Ministries/ Dr Neville Westerbeek van Eerten D. Miss. 2024
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